Songkran In Pattaya

[h5n1]

if you do get stuck in pattaya - best thing to do is to head to (on) the beach. Bring enough gear to last you the day. you can walk home in a tshirt and b.suit at dusk. beach road is a zoo - but youll be insulated.

[JSixpack]

is New Year in Trafalgar Square trouble free? Is the Notting Hill Carnival free of murder, rapes and robberies?

Neither lasts 7 days: New Year in Trafalgar Square lasts a night; the Notting Hill Carnival a couple of days. Neither of them ties up the entire city including the major routes into the city.

As for us old farang farts? We can leave the country or bolt the doors. Smile or grimace? The choice is yours.

The problem is that it's difficult to bolt your doors for an entire seven days. You run out of food and beer and Viagra. People begin to sniff suspiciously at your door. And you go stir crazy. You miss going out to hang in the beer bars in the afternoon and other nefarious activities. If it were 2 days it would still be inconvenient, esp. in an emergency, but it would be much more tolerable.

Hence leaving the country or at least PTY (dodging hostile Songkrans in other areas) becomes a preferred option. That's also inconvenient. The authorities needn't cancel Songran and ruin the fun (boo hoo) for the poor Thais and the stupid farangs. They could just ensure that it takes only 2 days as it should; ban water cannons, ice, and powder; demand that the hooligans just battle among themselves, not against unarmed civilians; clear the public roads of the roadblocks (which must be against traffic laws anyway); and ensure that windshields and helmets are not obscured and motorcycles in motion are not targeted at all.

Each year there's lip service to some of these points but of course nothing ever happens.

Edited January 19, 2006 by JSixpack

[Kerryd]

As for me, I will do as I've done for the past 4 years... go upcountry to my missus village in Isaan, and enjoy a traditional Isaan Songkran... sanook mak mak.

Hehehe, coward. I was (am) going to buy one of those monster water pistols (or should that be "cannons" ?) and go hunting for "The Sanitizer"

[Maigo6]

Don't you miserable old people have nothing better to do than moan constantly?

Songkhran is great fun, there once was a time long ago when most of you people would have enjoyed it too.

Now you are just too old, too bitter and too Western to ever have fun anymore.

You guys complain about a festival that lasts for 7 days in one year, and think nothing of what you get up to in Pattaya for the other 51 weeks of the year.

This is the exact reason why a festival like Songlhran would be impossible in a country like england, it would be a bloodbath with the miserable moaning Brits. You are just too miserable.

I bet you guyz are a real bundle of fun!.

[Mobi]

Don't you miserable old people have nothing better to do than moan constantly?

Songkhran is great fun, there once was a time long ago when most of you people would have enjoyed it too.

Now you are just too old, too bitter and too Western to ever have fun anymore.

You guys complain about a festival that lasts for 7 days in one year, and think nothing of what you get up to in Pattaya for the other 51 weeks of the year.

This is the exact reason why a festival like Songlhran would be impossible in a country like england, it would be a bloodbath with the miserable moaning Brits. You are just too miserable.

I bet you guyz are a real bundle of fun!.

I bet you are too.

Which part of Pattaya will you be celebrating Songkra in? I make a point of avoiding all fun loving maigs with huge chips on their shoulders.

[Artisan]

Don't you miserable old people have nothing better to do than moan constantly?

Songkhran is great fun, there once was a time long ago when most of you people would have enjoyed it too.

Now you are just too old, too bitter and too Western to ever have fun anymore.

You guys complain about a festival that lasts for 7 days in one year, and think nothing of what you get up to in Pattaya for the other 51 weeks of the year.

This is the exact reason why a festival like Songlhran would be impossible in a country like england, it would be a bloodbath with the miserable moaning Brits. You are just too miserable.

I bet you guyz are a real bundle of fun!.

Maigo, you are either taking the p1ss or you have a hostile streak in you or, as Mobi D'Ark has said, a huge chip on your shoulder. Your posting in this thread, and others, is both offensive, insulting and lacks any understanding of the real issues.

[Jai Dee]

As for me, I will do as I've done for the past 4 years... go upcountry to my missus village in Isaan, and enjoy a traditional Isaan Songkran... sanook mak mak.

Hehehe, coward. I was (am) going to buy one of those monster water pistols (or should that be "cannons" ?) and go hunting for "The Sanitizer"

You'd be extremely lucky to find me upcountry mate... it's way out in the sticks.

Maybe you should be hunting for Maigo6 instead?

[Maigo6]

Maigo, you are either taking the p1ss or you have a hostile streak in you or, as Mobi D'Ark has said, a huge chip on your shoulder. Your posting in this thread, and others, is both offensive, insulting and lacks any understanding of the real issues.

So you think that if I joined the Thai bashing community here I would be non offensive?

Is this forum reserved for those that just Bash Thais and Thailand?

LOL, you guyz.

It would be offensive if I was being personal, like you are being towards me, I was not being personal to any specific person, if you can see yourself in my post, up to you.

both offensive, insulting and lacks any understanding of the real issues.

No my friend , you seem to have lost the plot.

You are the one that is unhappy and constantly moaning, just read your own posts, I have to wonder why you are in Thailand, you do nothing but complain.

I will be found at the Bottom of Soi 8 every day of Songkhran, I will be the drunken Farang with the huge cannon that soaks you with Ice cold water as you go by on your honda wave !

Having fun, remember what fun is?

[Mobi]

... I will be the drunken Farang with the huge cannon that soaks you with Ice cold water as you go by on your honda wave !

Having fun, remember what fun is?

Well Maigo, if you have fun as agressively as you post in this forum, I doubt whether those around you will be smiling too much.

BTW did you know it is illegal and dangerous to fire water at moving motorcycles? But I guess you do, you're just being inflammatory.

What's with this Churchill avatar? Wasn't he a racist?

[BROWNY]

[

"What's with this Churchill avatar? Wasn't he a racist? "

Racist in what context exactly ? For having the gonads to stand up to a Dictator when the rest of the free world caved in ?

Or are you just avoiding the topic by resorting to personal insults ?

Myself, I will see how much of Songkran I can take before jumping in a taxi to U-Tapao ! I think one day will be enough !!

[Jai Dee]

Please be reminded of the Forum Rules... and the following in particular:

No flaming of fellow members!

'Flaming' is best defined as posting or responding to a message in a way clearly intended to incite useless arguments, rants, and/or for launching personal attacks, insulting, being hateful, useless criticism, name calling, swearing and other bad behavior or comments meant to incite anger.

[expatgaz]

This is getting out of hand.The official Songkran in Pattaya lasts for 1 day...YES 1 day and it finishes at 6.00p.m. Ask any Thai and they will tell you.As for it going on a week, thats true as all the idiots, mainly German, down soi 7 & 8 behave like total pr*cks, are the majority of BG's go along with it as it keeps them busy.My wife loves the celebration but thats 1 day until 6.00p.m.

It annoys the majority of Thais as much as it does me to get soaked by idiots other than on the specified day.

EPG.

[Mobi]

Please be reminded of the Forum Rules... and the following in particular:

No flaming of fellow members!

'Flaming' is best defined as posting or responding to a message in a way clearly intended to incite useless arguments, rants, and/or for launching personal attacks, insulting, being hateful, useless criticism, name calling, swearing and other bad behavior or comments meant to incite anger.

Fair enough Jai Dee. I feel suitably chastised. Believe it or not my comment was not intended as a personal insult. I just found it really strange that someone who was intent on flaming the English race and their lost, so-called empire to such an extent would use as his avatar the very opitomy of Englishness and the 'good old British Empire.'

Of course Churchill was a very great Englishman, Brownie, absolutely indisputable. Probably one of the greatest ever. Yet.. he was most certainly a racist; if you have any doubts I suggest you look at the following link:

http://globalfire.tv/nj/04en/history/churchillunknown.htm

At the end of the day I was trying to inject a little sarcasm/humour into this thread. I think Sonkran's been done to death and we've all had our little go.

[Rimmer]

Please be reminded of the Forum Rules... and the following in particular:

No flaming of fellow members!

'Flaming' is best defined as posting or responding to a message in a way clearly intended to incite useless arguments, rants, and/or for launching personal attacks, insulting, being hateful, useless criticism, name calling, swearing and other bad behavior or comments meant to incite anger.

SNIP

At the end of the day I was trying to inject a little sarcasm/humour into this thread. I think Sonkran's been done to death and we've all had our little go.

But I haven't said anything yet

Three years I bought a giant water blaster and I headed into the Mayhem in Jomtien with the GF carrying a large bottle of re-fill water. I had an absolutly great time for 3 hours and got thoroughly wet and cold. The next day I was so ill I could not move for one week. Not only did I get 'flu but I think some of the water was less than pure and it got into maybe the eyes or somewhere.

For this reason I now stock up with food and shut myself away. But I will always remember acting like a child and having so much fun for a few hours.

[Maigo6]

Last year I was in Isaan for the 12th and 13th of April, I went to Naklua on the 18th, and was up early for the 19th walking round Pattaya.

I used to go to Naklua every year when I had friends who had a Bike shop there, always a good laugh.

Last year I was dragged into the back of a pickup by some Katoey, it was a scream, great fun.

Then again, I'm only a youngster.

[jdinasia]

in my few years of living here and some more of visiting ... Songkran's my fave festival of the year ... Granted it's a bit too agressive in Chiang Mai .... and lasts too long in Pattaya ... but hel_l I love it!. Crying about is is kind of silly! I think most of the guys that lost the sense of fun with it are right to become shut-ins or runaways for the week.

personally if I lived in Pattaya I'd probably do the same thing I do in BKK ... head to the Islands for a week ... throw water for a day and enjoy a week away from home!

[BROWNY]

"Of course Churchill was a very great Englishman, Brownie, absolutely indisputable. Probably one of the greatest ever. Yet.. he was most certainly a racist; if you have any doubts I suggest you look at the following link:"

Acknowlegement of a great Englishman gratefully accepted Mobi. I won't be checking out the link though - i don't need to as i know the history of my island and race in greater detail than most.

I will however think about my plans for Songkran - great fun the last time i experienced it, probably the best laugh i had for ages but like some others posting here - one day of it is just about right for me !

I am looking forward to it and will join in the fun - but won't be surprised if i jump on a plane to an island (no, not England) to chill on a decent beach and let the fun-lovers soak each other without my help for a while !

Happy soaking all

[Kerryd]

29 days to go ! (though the party starts even sooner)

Have you bought your water cannon yet ?

(still haven't found a good perch overlooking the entrance to the Blues Factory )

[Kerryd]

10 days to go (until the party unoffically starts) !

Notice that the big stores (Carrefour, Big C and so on) are advertising large selections of water-pistols, with sale prices ranging from 5-400 baht.

My Thai friends tell me that the official date for Songkran is the 18th in Chon Buri and the 19th in Pattaya (what is it in Rayong and Trat then ?).

Play safe and have FUN !!!!

[Kerryd]

10 days to go (until the party unoffically starts) !

Play safe and have FUN !!!!

2 Days to go !!!

Two of the ankle-biters in the neighbourhood have already started running around with little water-guns.

I went to Carrfoure yesterday and bought a whack of big ones. One for me and the other 6 for some of the Thais in my building.

My Thai landlady has recruited her younger brother to use his pick-up truck on the 19th. I suspect we will confine ourselves to driving around the local area, soaking our Thai neighbours. I doubt we will be involved in the kind of rowdy activities that give Songran a really bad name

Then again, if someone lets me know exactly where "The Sanitizer" lives...........

[thaiflyer1]

2 Days to go !!!

Don't remind me......

Time to get the supplies in and batten down the hatches methinks.

[Kerryd]

Don't remind me......

Time to get the supplies in and batten down the hatches methinks.

Spoilsport ! (where do you live ?)

Had a laugh today when it rained. Everyone running for cover to avoid getting wet.

Yet in 2 days or so, they'll all be out trying to soak each other with loads of cold water ! At least the RAIN is (probably) cleaner than some what will be thrown over the next few days

[Jai Dee]

Then again, if someone lets me know exactly where "The Sanitizer" lives...........

[Kerryd]

Then again, if someone lets me know exactly where "The Sanitizer" lives...........

That's just asking for it !!

You do realize that one of your fellow mods (or someone living in Pattaya) is going to give you up eh ?

That or I just stake out Sukhumvit and blast every farang that goes by heading north in the mornings (wouldn't be as much fun though)

Edited April 10, 2006 by Kerryd

[monty]

I just heard on the grapevine that the main Pattaya Songkran day will be moved to the 20th, reason being the elections on the 19th...

No alcohol allowed from the 18th 6pm till the 19th midnight...

Anybody heard the same rumour?

[Jai Dee]

I just heard on the grapevine that the main Pattaya Songkran day will be moved to the 20th, reason being the elections on the 19th...

No alcohol allowed from the 18th 6pm till the 19th midnight...

Anybody heard the same rumour?

I have also heard the same rumour from my Thai workers.

No official confirmation yet...

[Noel]

Don't you miserable old people have nothing better to do than moan constantly?

Songkhran is great fun, there once was a time long ago when most of you people would have enjoyed it too.

Now you are just too old, too bitter and too Western to ever have fun anymore.

You guys complain about a festival that lasts for 7 days in one year, and think nothing of what you get up to in Pattaya for the other 51 weeks of the year.

This is the exact reason why a festival like Songlhran would be impossible in a country like england, it would be a bloodbath with the miserable moaning Brits. You are just too miserable.

I bet you guyz are a real bundle of fun!.

If Songkran is ‘played’ properly, yes it can be fun.

However, when imbeciles delight in causing distress to those who clearly have no wish to participate, the fun stops in my view.

By way of example, many years ago in Pattaya my girlfriend and I were enjoying some pre-dinner drinks. We were to meet some friends over on holiday and this was something of an occasion, my girlfriend having made a special effort to dress up as we were going on to a good restaurant.

Along came a lout (who happened to be German), armed with his ‘Rambo’ gun. As he finished soaking the people at the front table and looked at us, I stood up and gave him some polite advice concerning the wisdom of treating us in similar fashion.

He chose to ignore the advice.

He then proceeded to blast my girlfriend with a powerful jet of water, deliberately aiming at her face and chest, absolutely drenching her in the process. Suffice it to say, I did not take kindly to seeing my girlfriend in such distress so something of an incident ensued.

The Police were called and I was unceremoniously arrested, whilst the Teutonic <deleted> was taken to hospital (he inexplicably head-butted his weapon a couple of times, most careless…).

The upshot was that after some redistribution of my wealth, including the payment of his hospital bill, the cost of his toy and an under the table donation to the Captain’s favourite charity, I was released without charge.

I now tend to hibernate during Songkran, as I seem to have a humour block in such situations as the above.

I strongly suspect that I am not alone in having a very short fuse when it comes to the antics of morons.

[Mobi]

I've already asked this question once on this thread, but have received inconclusive replies. So here we go again.

My daughter is here from England on ashort holiday and on 13th the gang is coming from up-country to celebrate Songkran on 13/14/15. (They all go back to work next week).

So we have booked a pickup truck for 14th. But the maid tells us they don't celebrate around here (Pong) until next week, and my son, who is in summer school in Na Klua, isn't even off school until next week.

So will we be able to celebrate this week? And if so, where?

Or should I cancel the truck?

Thanks in advance for any clarification on this.

[thaiflyer1]

I just heard on the grapevine that the main Pattaya Songkran day will be moved to the 20th, reason being the elections on the 19th...

No alcohol allowed from the 18th 6pm till the 19th midnight...

Anybody heard the same rumour?

I have also heard the same rumour from my Thai workers.

No official confirmation yet...

I heard...........well saw a report on Sophon that they were considering making the 14th and 15th as 2 extra voting days for those who did not wish to vote on the 19th due to Songkran .........dont know if anything came of it though.

[thaiflyer1]

Or should I cancel the truck?

Personally i would cancel the truck............unless you plan to wander further afield you aint going to have much fun around the Pattaya area on those dates.